Accion Welcomes Raza Dean and Nick Talwar to Its Board of Directors

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Cambridge, MA, June 27, 2016 – Financial inclusion pioneer Accion today announced the appointment of financial service industry leaders Raza Dean and Nick Talwar to the organization’s board of directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Raza Dean and Nick Talwar to the Accion Board of Directors,” said Accion Board Chair Diana Taylor. “Both individuals bring unique and extensive experience in the financial services industry. This experience, combined with a global perspective developed over years of living and working abroad, will be instrumental in advancing Accion’s effort to foster financial inclusion around the world.”

Dean brings to the Accion board more than 30 years of experience in the global financial services industry and promoting business development and growth. As president of RMD Associates, he supports the growth and development of small- and medium-sized businesses. His professional experience crosses the banking, finance, manufacturing, distribution, and retail industries, and includes 16 years in commercial banking and 10 years in banking in the Middle East. He has held management positions with companies that include the Bank of Boston, Citibank, Boston Retail Partners, and United Saudi Commercial Bank. A native of Pakistan, Dean has lived and worked in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Greece. He currently resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Talwar brings to the Accion board a successful track record of launching, turning around, and scaling businesses that range from fintech startups to global multinational corporations. In his role as general manager for Amazon Lending in Seattle, Washington, Talwar has led the company’s global expansion into the lending industry. His other work includes leading Visa’s credit card business in North America, serving as chief revenue officer of online peer-to-peer lender Prosper Marketplace, and working as the country manager for Citibank Sweden, among others. From this experience, Talwar has built expertise in areas such as consumer and small business lending, payments, digital, and microfinance. In 2013, he was elected into the Young Global Leader program of the World Economic Forum.

About Accion

Accion is a global nonprofit dedicated to building a financially inclusive world with economic opportunity for all, by giving people the financial tools they need to improve their lives. We are building the next generation of top-tier microfinance institutions, and over more than 50 years have helped build 65 such institutions in 32 countries on four continents that today reach millions of clients. Our impact investing initiatives are pushing beyond microfinance to catalyze more than 20 innovative start-ups dedicated to improving the efficiency, reach, and scope of financial services for the poor. And our Center for Financial Inclusion is helping to build a stronger industry with high standards and broad engagement. Currently, our work spans nearly two dozen countries, including the U.S., where we are the nation’s largest nonprofit microfinance network. For further information, visit http://www.accion.org.